Orel Mangala issued a message of defiance following confirmation he would miss the rest of the season.

The midfielder suffered a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury in Everton’s win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. He was one of two serious injuries to hit the Blues at the Amex, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin also set for a period on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.

Calvert-Lewin will undergo further assessment, with the club planning to send him to a specialist. The striker is expected to be out for “a number of weeks” according to an announcement by Everton on Thursday.

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The prognosis is even worse for Mangala, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old suffered the knee injury in a collision with Joel Veltman midway through the second half. He attempted to carry on after receiving treatment on the pitch but fell to the ground moments later before heading down the tunnel.

With the Belgian international having joined Everton on a loan deal from Lyon, it means he has played his last game for the club.

After the extent of his injury was confirmed, Mangala thanked those who had offered him their support as expectations grew he faced an extended period on the sidelines.

He took to X, formerly Twitter, to post: “Thank you for all the messages of support - it is hard news to take. Believe with God on my side, I will be back soon and stronger than ever before!”